historically carpet was seen as something the affluent could afford to put down in their homes. people w/ hardwood were viewed as people who could not afford such luxury.

we bought a great century home where the elderly owners carpets the entire house save 2 of the 4 bedrooms. we need to refinish the floors due to the zillion staple/tack holes in the floor, and due to it being worn but this couple grew up in a time where if/when they became wealthy enough to lay carpet they were conditioned to do so.

Well I am a pet owner and I still prefer carpet on the second floor. Luckily my dog does not shed. I think its because I grew up in a house without carpet that I got used to the comfort of walking around barefoot on carpet. We chose to put hardwood/tile on our main floor and carpet on the second floor. Much nicer to get out of bed onto a soft, warm floor. We even put a carpet runner on the stairs--mainly to prevent wipeouts from us and the dog Something about carpet feels cozier. Even in the areas where I have hardwood I plan to get area rugs for the centre of the rooms.

If you already invested in a vacuum cleaner, it is not too useful with other flooring types. So, to recoup your investment you may continue to use carpet.

That's not true. We have central vac & it's very useful with other flooring types! I use it almost everyday (to clean up after our 3 kids )
on our hardwood floors & tiles Just make sure you have a special attachment for hardwood floors.

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I am a huge carpet fan. Hardwood looks nice, but the fact that carpet is soft and warm when steped on really makes me feel at home. Surely there are cons such as vacumning, hard to clean after a spill, but the overall effort for its comfort is worth it.

We have 2 small kids and it just feels more comfortable lying down on the carpet and playing with them than it would on hard wood / laminate - not as homey. We have tile in the kitchen and bathroom and I can't see myself rolling around on those surfaces with my kids.

I personally do not like carpet, but I do not mind it in the bedroom. Once could also use a throw on rug beside the bed for those without carpeted bedrooms so when getting up one does not have to step on a cold floor.

troll: someone you dislike, fear or do not comprehend...11b guide
When the doorbell rings, it's just a request. You are not a dog, it is not a command, only a request. You are not in church, you are at home. No guilt.

Personally, though... I don't like carpet but I like the idea of dust being trapped in carpet rather than floating around everywhere.

Not exactly how it works. The dust, allergens, etc get trapped and can accumulate in the carpet (as much as hundreds of times the concentration in the air). They get released back into the air from disturbance (from walking, etc). It also becomes very difficult to remove them with a vacuum, with studies showing that you have to repass the same area 16 to 24 times to reasonably clean it (which nobody does).

It feels good after a good vacuum session, the carpets spotless and clean.

I like walking over it barefoot to feel the cleanliness.

troll: someone you dislike, fear or do not comprehend...11b guide
When the doorbell rings, it's just a request. You are not a dog, it is not a command, only a request. You are not in church, you are at home. No guilt.